FOLLOW THESE STEPS TO FIND THE RIGHT TRIP

COMPARE BOATS - Each boat and crew is different, as such the each trip experience is a bit unique.

MAKE SURE YOU ARE INFORMED - Please read all of the information below and on our boat pages to make sure the trip in general and specific boat are right for you.

CONFIRM AVAILABILITY - Contact us via LIVE CHAT or email to make sure spots are available for the boat of your choice. You can also contact us by clicking on the INQUIRY button on the boat you like.

BOOK YOUR SPOT - Make a $50 deposit payment through our secure payment system by clicking the BOOK NOW button on the webpage for the boat you have confirmed. The balance will be due in cash on the day of departure.

WHAT TO EXPECT FROM YOUR TRIP

The trip to Colombia is not a guided tour, and also not a luxury cruise. It is an adventure through an archipelago of app 365 breathtaking islands inhabited by the local indigenous population the Guna with a fascinating culture.Guests on board will be expected to help out with the food preparation, sailing and with other things when the crew needs an extra hand. Cabins are shared (unless arranged differently) and often some of the sleeping spots are the common area. It is a backpacker trip and only minimum privacy can be expected. If you have the mindset to go and experience something new, you can have fun andexperience a once in a lifetime adventure.

THE DESTINATION PORT & ROUTES

There are two primary destination ports & routes offered:

1) Sapzurro/ Capurgana, Colombia:

These are neighboring coastal port towns in the Northern part of Colombia very near the border with Panama. This area is surrounded by primary jungle and has no road access. It is an incredible place to visit especially for nature lovers. However, guest traveling onward will need to take a small boat to reach a town that offers ground or air transportation.

This trips route is along the coast line, mainly staying within the beautiful islands of Guna islands This route can be done by sailboat or speedboat.

Advantage: More time in the islands and no open water crossing that can be rough and make you seasick.

2) Cartagena Colombia

This route takes guest all the way to famous Colombian port city of Cartagena.

The boats first cruise through north western islands of Guna Yala for around 3 days, after which they cross open ocean for 2 days before arriving. This route can only be done by sailboat.

Advantage: Sailing Adventure and end your trip in Cartagena.

The islands where the boat drops anchors anchor and the exact route depend on the Captains preferences and weather at the time.

TIMING

The trip takes between 4 and 6 days depending on the route, vessel and on weather. If you are on a tight schedule you might want to consider a shorter roundtrip to the San Blas islands in combination with a flight to Colombia. Safety is always first. If the weather conditions dont allow it, the trip can take longer or the trip departure date may be postponed.

THE COST

The trips cost between $445 and $650 depending on the boat & route you are taking.

Transport to the boat is not included in the cost.

We make your boat booking at no additional cost for you. Easy online booking & consultation before your trip.

THE DEPARTURE POINTS & HOW TO GET THERE

The port of Carti in Guna Yala (San Blas):

Ground transport into the territory is highly regulated. No public connections are available. Therefore when a boat departs from within the territory guests must also reserve the transport through us. .

Ground transport into the territory is highly regulated. No public connections are available. Therefore when a boat departs from within the territory guests must also reserve the transport through us. .

Take a shuttle from the hostel (app $20 to $25). Contact us if you would like us to organize a shuttle for you. Additional cost $20 indigenous entrance fees.

WHATS INCLUDED

Captain & Crew

Accomodation for all nights of your trip - on a sailboat you will always sleep onboard, when taking the speedboat you will sleep in local island accommodations, usually dorms or hammocks

All meals - some trips provide snacks o fruit. Let us know if you have any dietary restrictions (such as vegetarian etc) or food allergies. All the boats we work with can cater to dietary restrictions. However please understand that on the trip there might not always be an special meal available for you eg you might just need to eat rice, salad and lentils without the meat or fish if you are vegetarian. Bringing additional snacks can never hurt!

Coffee or Tea with breakfast

Water (only on sailboats) - for the speedboat trip make sure to bring enough water

Immigration - if you are a Canadian Citizen please read more details on the immigration section about additional fees.

Excursion to islands

Island fees

Snorkels & masks

Fishing gear (on most boats)

Adventure!!!

IMMIGRATION & COST

1) Stamping out of Panama

a) When sailing to Cartagena. Your captain will collect your passports before the departure and will do the stamp out for you at the immigration office in Portobelo / Puerto Lindo

b) When taking the route along the coast to Sapzurro / Capurgana your captain will collect your passports before the departure and will do the stamp out for you at the immigration office in Puerto Obaldia.

2 Stamping into Colombia

a) When in Cartagena. Your captain will bring your passports to the immigration office in Cartagena. They will do the immigration process there. This process may take up to 24h! You may be asked to stay on the boat until its done or at times you can leave and go to your hostel. The captain should bring your passport to your hostel.

b) When in Capurgana. You can go to the immigration office yourself and get your stamp. This process is usually done quickly.

Immigration is free. Only Canadian Citizens are being charged app $80 when entering Colombia.

HOW TO PREPARE FOR YOUR TRIP

Bring enough cash to pay the balance and have extra cash for on the trip. You might want to buy a coconut or a souvenir in the islands. Also make sure you are informed about your travel expenses from where your boat trip ends. THERE IS NO ATM IN THE ISLANDS.

Pack a small backpack / daypack with what you will need on your trip. Your big backpack will be stored away for space reasons and will not be accessible during the trip.

What To Pack:

Passport

Money

Beach clothes

Bathing suits

Towel

1 sweater

Light jacket that can protect you from wind and or rain

All electronics (recommended in ziplock (phone) or trash bags (laptops)

Toiletries

Sunblock

Bug spray

Medication if needed

Seasickness pills

Flashlight

Alcohol, mixers

Snacks

Cigarettes (if you are a smoker)

Water (only if you are taking the speedboat)

HOW IS THE WEATHER?

May through November are the months of the rainy season - boat rides can be wet, sometimes very wet.

November through April are the months of the windy season (January and February are very windy!!!)

Please make sure to protect all your items. We recommend you purchase plastic bags for your luggage and zip-lock bags for your valuables.

Also, it is important to understand that there is always the possibility that a trips departure may be delayed due to weather. Also, there is a chance that once in the islands the trip may have to wait out bad weather, increasing the length of the trip, We do not reccomend booking this trip if you are on a strict schedule.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER

Each boat is an independent operator. Cacique Cruisers provides boat, crew and availabilty information, pretrip guest services, reservation and booking service, and the arrangements for transport to the boat. The boats are independant entities. Cacique Cruiser is not liable for the boats or actions of their crews.

Cacique Cruiser researches the boats and crews as much as possible, and we take this process very seriously. We also rely on guest feedback. All past client reviews are made available through the Cacique Cruiser booking system. If one would like to provide feedback about a boat or captain to help future travelers make a decision regarding sailboats to Colombia, please help us by sending an email to: mytrip@caciquecruiser.com once you arrive at your destination.

Cacique Cruiser provides agency services for the boats as well as potential guests. Please understand that the boats are in no way associated with Cacique Cruiser in any manner other than that stated above.

HOW TO BOOK?

Please check availability with us before booking.

To save your spot on your favorite boat you can simply pay a down payment of $50 online by credit card, which will be subtracted from the total cost. All payments made with a credit card will be charged with a 6% processing fee.

The balance must be paid in cash to the captain when you get on the boat. Once a reservation is made we will send a receipt with a ticket and must read info via email.